Announcing the 2025 Climate Action Fund Recipients

Adamah is proud to announce the latest round of recipients for a groundbreaking initiative that supports bold climate solutions in the Jewish community.

Adamah’s Climate Action Fund empowers Jewish organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and serve as environmental leaders in their communities through a combination of interest-free loans and matching grants.

Since its launch in 2023, the Adamah Climate Action Fund has awarded:

• $1.3 million to 50 projects across North America
• $996,593 in interest-free loans
• $309,016 in matching grants

These projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,630 metric tons annually and save approximately $801,060 each year in energy and operating costs.

New Awardees Lead by Example 

This round’s North American Climate Action Loan recipients include: 

“These zero-interest loans allow Jewish organizations to immediately cut energy costs, freeing up resources to invest in their core missions,” said Jakir Manela, CEO of Adamah. “Our community has the tools—and now the funds—to lead on climate action.” 

Scott Braswell of Merage JCC in Irvine, CA, a past Fund recipient, echoed this sentiment: 

“The funds from Adamah have allowed us to dream bigger. We initially planned a gradual LED upgrade, but quickly realized the energy and cost savings were too great to delay. The new LEDs not only look professional but also provide significant savings.” 

Supporting Change in New York 

Four Jewish institutions in New York received Adamah NY Climate Action Fund Grants, supported by UJA, for upgrades to lighting and thermostats:

These efforts complement other recent upgrades such as rooftop solar panels and heat pump installations. Rabbi Linson of Temple Judea of Laguna Hills, CA, another past recipient, remarked: 

“Our community sees that environmental stewardship is also financial stewardship. We are proud of our sustainability efforts and grateful for the support.” 

Funding Opportunities and New Deadline 

The Adamah Climate Action Fund currently offers financial support through three regional programs: 

• Adamah NY Climate Action Fund (for schools and synagogues located in NYC’s five boroughs, Westchester, and Long Island): Matching grants up to $10,000 per project 

• Orange County Climate Action Grant Fund (Orange County, CA): Matching grants up to $10,000 

• North American Climate Action Loan Fund: Interest-free loans up to $100,000 

Adamah plans to launch additional regional grant programs in the coming months to expand its reach. 

The next deadline to apply for funding is November 6, 2025. All applicants must be members of Adamah’s Jewish Climate Leadership Coalition, a growing network of Jewish organizations committed to climate action. Current members include major umbrella organizations of Jewish life including Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Funders Network, Hillel International, Prizmah, and JCC Association of North America, as well as leaders of major Jewish denominations (including the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbinical Council of America, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and Reconstructing Judaism, Union for Reform Judaism, and United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism). Membership is free and open to any Jewish organization, and those not yet involved are encouraged to email coalition@adamah.org or visit adamah.org/coalition to learn more. 

“This coalition represents an unprecedented mobilization of the Jewish world toward meaningful climate action—at pace and at scale. With expert support and financing available, there’s no reason Jewish leaders can’t be at the forefront of creating a livable future for our children.”

— Jakir Manela, CEO